AS the summer starts to draw to a close the higher level Irish Pony Club proficiency are taking place. During my pony club days I successfully completed all of the proficiency tests and I picked up some simple tips along the way. For candidates going forward for assessment there are a number of things worth keeping in mind, both on the day of the exam and in the run up to it.

The final four Irish Pony Club exams are all regarded as professional qualifications.

The ‘B’ test is for candidates 16 years or older and covers both riding and horsemanship. The ‘B+’ test is for candidates 18 years and old, it involves riding, horsemanship and is also the only one of the Pony Club tests which covers teaching. It is often the first step many members of the Irish Pony Club take towards being equestrian coaches in the future.

The final test is split in two, the ‘H’ test covers all of the horsemanship and the ‘A’ test covers all of the riding. Lungeing is covered in both the ‘H’ and ‘A’.

Be prepared

This may sound very basic but success on the day often comes down to how well prepared you are. The more you prepare the less likely you are to get flustered when it comes to answering harder questions in either the riding or horsemanship element of the test.

Most branches of the Irish Pony Club or areas will organise training, especially for the higher level tests, if you can it is highly recommended that you avail of these training sessions. The majority of the coaches giving the training have experience examining and know the pitfalls to watch out for.

Make sure you practice everything, don’t rely on the fact you knew something for the last test you sat so you’ll automatically know it again. For the likes of bandaging the more you practice the more confident and capable you will be.

Always dress neatly, different sections of each test will have different dress codes. Be aware of this in the lead up to the test and make sure you have everything you need. That said, don’t over complicate what you need to bring with you on the day, for instance choose one riding helmet that will be suitable for all phases and wear that.

Check all of your tack, know how it works and why you use it on your horse. This is an area you should know and be able to show off in. Make sure everything is clean and fits correctly – there isn’t a worse way to start the test off than being told to go a change your tack.

Be practical

You will always have to learn a certain amount from the book, especially for the ‘H’ test where the level of detailed required for understanding different systems such as the digestive, respiratory and endocrine system is much higher than the average knowledge of these systems.

However, for the vast majority of horsemanship questions a practical response is often the best.

Examiners are looking to see if they would trust you to run a yard for a period of time.

Show that you are confident and comfortable handling a horse. Simple things like remembering to speak before approaching a horse will all make to make a good impression.

Also, remember that the Pony Club tests are designed to build on the knowledge learnt in the previous test, they are not stand-alone tests. You should always trying to link the information together. Simple things such as the rules of feeding are relevant in almost every test – you might not be asked them directly but you should show that you know them by tying them into the answers of other more detailed questions.

For the riding element of each of the higher tests you will be required to discuss how you feel the horse is going. Practice talking about the horse’s way of going, what you like and dislike, and exercises you think will help improve the horse.

Be comfortable

Despite some of the horror stories that may have been passed down at camp, examiners don’t want to fail people. Always try to make yourself as comfortable as possible. This can be done in a number of different ways.

Always start by knowing where you are going. Tests are the higher level are usually held in each Irish Pony Club area (there are nine of these) or held nationally. This means that for the majority of candidates will be sitting their test in an unfamiliar venue. Get reliable directions to the venue, the Irish Pony Club head office, your local District Commissioner or your Area Representative will be able to help you with these.

If you are travelling with a horse to a test and using Google Maps for directions make sure to add time to the estimated journey time they give you because you will be going slower travelling a horse.

The ‘B+’, ‘H’ and ‘A’ tests all involve lungeing. There is nothing stopping candidates from bringing their own lunge rope if that is what they are most comfortable using.

Always remember to bring some lunch and water. Stay calm and try to enjoy the experience as much as possible – no matter what the outcome is, the experience itself will teach you a lot.

Points from a top examiner

I spoke to one of the top examiners in Ireland, who regularly assesses each of the higher-level tests. These were her main points to candidates going forward:

  • Arrive early and get familiar with your surroundings.
  • Be prepared for different ground conditions, make sure you have studs with you and are comfortable riding on different surfaces.
  • Walk any courses when you arrive so you know what to expect and that you are prepared.
  • Be clean, tidy and presentable.
  • If at all possible, try to do some work experience in a professional yard and answer from experience.
  • All Irish Pony Club tests deal with dressage, show jumping and cross country so be prepared in every discipline.
  • A successful ‘A’ test candidate should be competing at International 2* level in eventing.
  • Make sure that the horse you bring to a test is sensible, rideable, and can show the required level of work.